Brandon Marshall's "Rap Sheet"

Cartoon by Drew Litton of the Rocky Mountain News

Partially in response to a comment that was left in the Wide Receiver rankings last night, I decided to try to get a more firm grasp of Brandon Marshall's history. I've dropped him fairly significantly in the rankings over the past couple of weeks not only because of his looming suspension but also because new shit has come to light (nod to Lebowski), and it's obvious that we're dealing with an individual of high knucklehead potential a/k/a an idiot.

Much of this info is coming from Wikipedia (with backup sources) and Rotoworld.com . . . chronologically:

10/31/04: "While a student at UCF, Marshall was arrested in Orlando on charges of assault on a law enforcement officer, refusal to obey, disorderly conduct and resisting an officer."

1/1/07: "Marshall was present at "The Shelter," a downtown Denver nightclub, along with teammates Javon Walker and Darrent Williams. As the players were leaving the club, Williams was fatally shot in the neck by an unknown assailant. Walker has stated in interviews that the shooter was likely a nightclub patron whose motive was retaliation after being involved in an altercation with Marshall's cousin earlier that night."

3/26/07: "Marshall was arrested in the Highlands Ranch suburb of Denver on suspicion of domestic violence after his girlfriend reported that following a domestic dispute, Marshall prevented a taxi she was in from leaving his house. Charges from the incident were later dismissed on May 25, 2007, after Marshall completed anger management counseling."

5/25/07: "A false imprisonment charge against Denver Broncos wide receiver Brandon Marshall stemming from a domestic dispute was dismissed Friday."

10/22/07: "Marshall was arrested in the Denver Metro area at the intersection of 14th and Blake St. for driving under the influence of alcohol. Marshall may even be suspended at least one or two games if he is convicted. His DUI trial is set for September 16. The Broncos open their 2008 season on September 8 and play Week 2 on September 14."

3/6/08: "Brandon Marshall was reportedly arrested on March 6 on a misdemeanor battery charge in Atlanta. No charges have been filed. The team and league were reportedly aware of the incident, but it's uncertain for how long. Since this is Marshall's third arrest and second involving domestic violence, he is at great risk of being suspended. Marshall's lawyer calls the situation a 'shakedown' although Marshall reportedly left his former girlfriend with 'visible marks above the eye and a laceration on her top and bottom lip.' Marshall was expected to be ready for training camp after March surgery to repair nerve damage in his arm."

6/12/08: "Marshall was ticketed by Denver police for more traffic violations. He was pulled over for an illegal lane change, then found to be without his license and proof of insurance."

6/25/08: Denver Post and ESPN.com report that "the Broncos' receiver was arrested in March after an alleged domestic dispute. It was Marshall's third arrest in less than 12 months. The first arrest, also a domestic charge, was dismissed."

7/28/08: "According to an article published in the Rocky Mountain News, Douglas Country deputies have fielded 'about 11' calls to Marshall's home since January, 2006. However, the article states that one one call resulted in Marshall being arrested, and some did not involve Marshall at all."

7/28/08: Rotoworld runs a blurb from Complete Colorado.com stating the following:

CompleteColorado.com reports that three individuals were granted restraining orders against Brandon Marshall for stalking.

Busy offseason. CompleteColorado.com also details six instances in which the police were dispatched to Marshall's home, dating back to February of last year. A police report was only filed once. Marshall met with Roger Goodell a couple of weeks ago, and is awaiting word on the length of a possible suspension.

After checking out CompleteColorado.com, I realize it's basically a tabloid site and the info is misleading at best. The three individuals involved in the restraining order came from the same report. The six instances of police dispatch did not all relate directly to Marshall himself, but it does seem like a couple of them do even though "the Broncos player" involved isn't specifically named. My sense is the original report is overblown, but there's definitely a pattern of behavior here . . . and where there's smoke, there's fire.

Non-legal issues:

8/10/07: Broncos coach Mike Shanahan "ordered wide receiver Brandon Marshall on Friday to practice for the first time since pulling his left quadriceps at a minicamp a month ago."

10/7/07: Marshall rips fans for booing, leaving early.

12/20/07: The first time Cutler chides Marshall after "a brief shouting match between Marshall and receivers coach Jeremy Bates during a Monday meeting." However, "Marshall denied a report that in the argument he asked to be waived."

3/22/08: Marshall puts his arm through a TV, needs arm surgery and four months of rehab . . . claims he was hurt slipping on a McDonalds wrapper. Later, Marshall reverses course and claims he was wrestling with his brother (truth?).

3/27/08: Brandon Marshall, who has been plagued by off-the-field issues since entering the NFL, has declared that it's time for him to 'grow up.' 'From here on out, it's Brandon Marshall, clean-cut guy. Just trying to get my life together as far as accidents and DUIs,' Marshall said."

4/1/08: Broncos QB Jay Cutler scolds Marshall for a second time in five months.

6/26/08: Marshall's former girlfriend tells him she is going to "ruin him."

6/26/08: "According to the Atlanta PD incident report, Brandon Marshall's hand "had been cut on glass during the fight" before his March 6 arrest for battery. A team spokesman says Marshall told the Broncos about this incident and it is unrelated to the severe arm injury he suffered on March 22. Marshall claims his girlfriend's two sisters attacked him on March 4. "The incident he is recovering from happened several weeks later in Florida," the Broncos' spokesman said."

7/24/08: NFL Network's Adam Schefter (with almost impeccable Denver connections) believes that Brandon Marshall is in danger of a four- to eight-game suspension.

7/24/08: Brandon Marshall met with NFL commissioner Roger Goodell at Goodell's office in New York for 2 1/2 hours last Friday.

7/25/08: Brandon Marshall appeared out of shape at Broncos practice Friday, having to take a knee after nearly every other route he ran.

Now, does that curriculum vitae read like someone you want to rely on as a long-term investment in dynasty leagues? I know I won't be pursuing him any time soon. In my mind, his off the field behavior absolutely deflates his value. I mean, say what you want about him being "Baby T.O.," but at least the original item kept his name out of the police blotter. I wouldn't want to get stuck holding the bag when Marshall does something drastic enough to cause even more value to fly out the window. As such, I've dropped him in the rankings yet again after doing all of this research.